Lead Data Scientist (m/f/d)
Location: Lisbon, Portugal (Hybrid)
Type: Full-time
We're supporting a high-growth, international digital platform business on the search for a Lead Data Scientist to join their growing Data Science function in Lisbon.
This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on senior / lead-level Data Scientist who enjoys owning end-to-end machine learning delivery, leading technical decisions, and mentoring others within a modern, product-led environment.
This role is ideal for someone who wants to combine deep technical ownership with team leadership, while still remaining close to the modelling, architecture, and productionisation of real-world ML systems.
The Opportunity
As a Lead Data Scientist, you will take ownership of complex, end-to-end data science initiatives that combine machine learning models, software components, and scalable production systems.
You'll act as the technical lead / anchor for a small team, helping shape architecture, delivery standards, and technical quality across the full project lifecycle — from problem framing through to deployment and measurable business impact.
This is not a pure people-manager role. It is a hands-on technical leadership position, suited to someone who can lead by example, make strong technical decisions, and drive delivery within a cross-functional environment.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the end-to-end delivery of complex machine learning / data science projects
Translate business challenges into scalable, production-ready ML solutions
Own technical design and architecture across models, pipelines, and supporting systems
Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Platform, and business stakeholders to ensure robust delivery
Drive high standards across:
Code quality
Testing
CI/CD
Observability
Maintainability
Balance experimentation with long-term engineering quality and operational stability
Mentor and support more junior Data Scientists, helping raise technical standards across the team
Communicate technical trade-offs, risks, and solution design clearly to non-technical stakeholders
Ensure solutions deliver measurable commercial / operational impact
What We're Looking For
Core Requirements
5+ years of experience in Data Science / Machine Learning
Proven track record delivering production-grade ML systems
Strong experience taking ML solutions from concept through to deployment
At least 1+ year in a technical leadership / lead capacity
Strong proficiency in Python
Strong hands-on experience with common ML frameworks such as:
scikit-learn
PyTorch
TensorFlow
Strong understanding of:
Model design & evaluation
Validation strategies & performance metrics
Data pipelines
APIs / integration layers
ML productionisation
MLOps / deployment best practices
Ideal Experience
Leading or acting as the technical anchor for small teams (2–5 people)
Experience mentoring junior team members
Working in cross-functional product / engineering environments
Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure)
Familiarity with large-scale data systems
Experience with streaming data and/or multi-model architectures
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, product-led, commercial environment
What Makes Someone a Strong Fit
The strongest candidates will typically have:
A strong balance of hands-on modelling + engineering depth
Experience delivering ML in real production environments, not just experimentation
A bias for execution and delivery
Comfort working across both technical detail and business context
Evidence of improving team quality through mentoring and technical leadership
Experience in a modern tech, platform, marketplace, eCommerce, mobility, SaaS, or product-led business
Why This Role Stands Out
High-visibility opportunity within a well-funded, international digital business
Join a growing Data Science organisation with strong product and engineering collaboration
Real ownership of meaningful ML systems, not just isolated modelling work
Opportunity to shape technical direction while remaining deeply hands-on
Strong hybrid flexibility in Lisbon
Excellent long-term growth potential in a business with genuine scale
Location / Working Model
Lisbon, Portugal
Hybrid working model
Interested?
If you'd like to learn more, feel free to reach out for a confidential conversation.